Tim Thomas is thinking about a return to professional hockey.The former Bruins goalie’s agent, Bill Zito, announced yesterday via the Twitter account of his agency Acme World Sports, “Tim Thomas has asked me to explore options for next season. We’ll have no further comment at this time. Thanks.”Thomas, 39, technically still is property of the New York Islanders. He was traded there by the Bruins on Feb. 7 so they could escape his $5 million cap hit. The B’s had suspended Thomas at the start of this past season after the goalie announced on Facebook he was taking the year off to devote more time “family, faith and friends.”

That followed his refusal to attend the team’s post-Stanley Cup trip to the White House in protest of an overreaching federal government, again according to what he explained on Facebook.He occasionally chimed in on other issues via the social network, though he would not discuss his views with reporters.He never reported officially to the Islanders and they have the right to toll the contract, meaning he would remain their property for another year. The Isles recently indicated they will not do that and, unless they change their minds, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent Friday.Thomas is a little late to the game as two possible destinations already were eliminated with New Jersey landing Cory Schneider from Vancouver and Toronto acquiring Jonathan Bernier from the Kings.